Some Galaxy smartphone users on T-Mobile's network in the US have started getting access to satellite messaging. This feature was announced by T-Mobile and SpaceX's Starlink a few months ago, and it started to appear on some Galaxy devices a few weeks ago but wasn't usable.
T-Mobile and Starlink have activated satellite emergency messaging on some Galaxy phones
T-Mobile has finally switched on Starlink's satellite emergency messaging on some Galaxy phones. Some Galaxy S24 series owners now have access to the feature. The new feature allows people to send and receive messages directly via a satellite connection when there is no cellular reception nearby.
The screenshot above explains the satellite messaging feature and informs users whether they are subscribed to the service. It isn't clear if satellite messaging supports sending images, videos, documents, and other files.
Several people applied to beta-test the feature, and some people have received access to test it. However, T-Mobile doesn't seem to have sent any email, notification, or text message about its availability yet.
It is currently only visible on Samsung's high-end Galaxy phones, which were launched in 2024 and are running One UI 6.1 or One UI 6.1.1. Currently, people running the beta version of Android 15-based One UI 7.0 software don't have access to satellite messaging.
The story continues after our One UI 7.0 video below.
Satellite messaging is only available on some T-Mobile plans, and the full rollout will likely start in the next few months. T-Mobile plans to bring data connectivity and even voice calls via satellite connectivity. However, those features might not come anytime soon.
